Long Island village walloped by insane 87% property tax hike as locals blame office goof

A Long Island suburb recently made headlines after the village board of trustees voted to impose an 87% property tax hike on homeowners. The drastic increase was deemed necessary by local officials, who cited administrative errors spanning several decades as the primary reason for the sudden spike in taxes.

According to reports, Atlantic Beach’s village government had been improperly billing commercial properties, leading to a significant shortfall in revenue. While the exact details of the error were not disclosed, Nassau County assessor Joseph Adamo clarified that the county was not responsible for the village’s budget or tax levy.

In addition to the assessment discrepancies, some residents speculated that a portion of the tax hike was intended to cover over $500,000 in legal fees associated with an ongoing legal dispute involving The Chabad of the Beaches, a Jewish organization in the area. The Chabad had purchased a former bank building for religious services, prompting a legal battle with the village over the property’s use.

Residents expressed frustration over the tax increase, with one individual stating that they would be willing to pay more if the funds were allocated towards essential community improvements rather than legal fees. Concerns were also raised about the perceived discrimination against The Chabad of the Beaches, leading to calls for accountability from village officials.

Despite facing legal challenges, the village government announced plans to seize the Chabad’s property through eminent domain to prevent the organization from using the site for religious purposes. This decision was met with criticism from legal organizations, with First Liberty condemning the village’s actions as targeting the Jewish community.

As tensions escalate, residents are planning to attend the next board of trustees meeting to demand transparency and accountability from local officials. The controversy surrounding the property tax hike and legal battle continues to unfold, raising questions about fairness, discrimination, and the responsible allocation of taxpayer funds in Atlantic Beach.